Band sawing machine



Nov. 30, 1954 w. F. ocENAsEK 2,695,637

BAND SAWING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1950 *Y 7 Sheets-Sheet l 56'/ 5 Y ,f j 6 Nov. 30, 1954 Filed Oct. 5, 19.50

W. F. OCENASEK BAND SAWING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 35 INVENTOR. 38 .///Y/l'a/n 7er/1mm 0:01am( O BY A] /75 yflofnfy Nov. 30, 1954 Filed Oct. 5 1950 w. F. ocENAsEK BAND SAWING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet. 3

IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 30, 1954 w. F. ocENAsEK BAND sAwING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 5, 1950 BY y filo/wey Nov. 30, 1954 w, F QCENASEK 2,695,637

BAND SAWING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 www flic/wey Nov. 30, 1954 w. F. ocENAsEK BAND sAwING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed OCT.. 5, 1950 QNN www Nov. 30, 1954 w. F. ocENAsl-:K

BAND SAWING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet `7 Filed 001'.. 5. 1950 United States Patent() BAND sAwING MACHINE William Ferdinand Ocenasek, South Plainfield, N. J., a ssignor to Kearney & Trecker Corporation, West Allis, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application October 5, 1950, Serial No. 188,616

9 Claims. (Cl. 143-17) This invention relates generally to improvements in the construction of a band sawing machine and more particularly to improved supporting structure for a selectively operable continuous or endless saw band.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved band saw having greatly improved operating characteristics for more conveniently performing a wide variety of sawing operations.

Another general object of the present invention is to provide improved structure for supporting and controlling the sawing mechanism of a bandsaw.

Another object is to provide an improved band saw having its various component parts so arranged as to simplify the manufacture and reduce the cost of producing an improved machine.

Another object is to provide an improved supporting frame for a band saw that comprises a plurality of separate units arranged to be secured together in such manner as to constitute a rigid unitary structure for supporting and partially enclosing the sawing mechanism.

Another object is to provide an improved frame for a band saw that is provided with improved protective wheel housings adapted to be adjustably secured to a supporting column in predetermined spaced apart alignment.

Another object is to provide an improved unit type frame for a band saw.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved band sawing machine having improved supporting structure adapted to provide the utmost economy in manufacture.

According to this invention, a band sawing machine is provided with a generally C-shaped supporting frame of an improved unit type construction that is disposed to support in vertically spaced relationship a pair of guiding wheels about which is trained a continuous or endless saw band. The supporting frame comprises a plurality of functionally shaped individual units formed and secured together in such manner as to constitute an extremely rigid structure for supporting and partially enclosing the sawing mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed specification setting forth the several illustrative embodiments, may be achieved by the particular apparatus constituting an exemplifying embodiment of the invention that is depicted in and described in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a `view in left side elevation of a band 2,695,637 Patented Nov. 30, `1954 lCC Fig. 6 is a plan view ofthe machine, partly in horizontal section through the upper wheel support, showing the welding apparatus supported in an operating position adjacent a side wall of the column and taken on the plane represented by the line 6-6 in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the machine, partly in horizontal section through the lower wheel support, showing the welding apparatus supported in its parked or storage position rearwardly of the column and taken along the horizontal plane represented by the line 7-7 in Figs. l and 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section through the central portion of the column intermediately of the upper and lower wheel supports and taken on a plane represented by the line 8--8 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a view in horizontal section through the central portion of the column, showing a modified form of stationary saw guard positioned intermediately of the upper and lower wheel supports;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged detailed view in front elevation of the upper and lower saw guides including a fragmentary representation in vertical section of the work supporting table interposed therebetween and taken on a plane represented by the line 10-10 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailed view in right side elevation of the upper and lower saw guides taken on a plane represented by the line 11-11 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a plan View of the upper saw guide showing the individually opposed guide plates in saw guiding engagement;

Fig. 13 is a plan view `similar to Fig. 12 showing the outer opposed guide plates in retracted position;

Fig. 14 is a plan View similar to Fig. 12 showing only the innermost opposed guide plates in saw guiding engagement;

Fig. l5 is an enlarged detailed view in front elevation of a pair of adjustable saw guides of modified form;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged View in right side elevation of the modied form of saw guides;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the upper modified form of saw guide taken on a plane represented by the line 17-17 sawing machine in which the invention is embodied in i practical form, parts of the machine frame having been broken away to show more clearly the unit type construction thereof;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the machine including the variable speed driving transmission mechanism and having `a part of the housing for the range changing mechanism broken away to show a part of the driving mechanism for the lower saw guiding wheel;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view in horizontal section through the elevating and clamping mechanism for the upper saw guide taken approximately along the plane represented by the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in left side elevation of the lowerpart of a modified form of a supporting frame;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of variable speed transmission mechanism interconnecting the driving motor and the range changing mechanism;

in Fig. l5;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the upper modified form of saw guide showing the outer opposed guide plates in retracted position;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the uppermodiiied form of saw guide showing only the innermost opposed guide plates in saw guiding engagement;

Fig. 20 is a view in vertical transverse section through the range changing transmission mechanism and a part of the lower wheel support;

Fig. 2l is a view in vertical longitudinal section through.

the range changing transmission mechanism taken on plane represented by the line 21--21 in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged view in right side elevation of the lower portion of the machine and showing the modified form of speed changing transmission mechanism; and, Fig. 23 is a view in transverse vertical section of the table support bracket and the table clamping mechanism taken on a plane represented by the line 23`-23 of Fig. 22.

4Referring more specifically to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 thereof in particular, show. generally in side and front elevation a band sawing machine that is fully described herein by way of a complete disclosureV of preferred structure embodying the features of this invention.

As shown in these views, it may be seen that the machine relationship. The frame 31 defines an open throat 34A constituting a working zone through which a workpiece may be fed to the forward run of a continuous or endless` saw band 35 trained about the saw guiding wheels 32 and 33.

To support a workpiece during a sawing operation, there is provided toward the front central portion of the machine a normally horizontal work supporting table 36 carried by the frame 31 in position to define the lower limit of theopen throat 34 formed the'reby ,and which is provided with a slotted opening 37 to permit vertical movement of the forward stretch of the saw band 35. Power for driving the saw band 35 at a selected rate of speed in a high or low range is derived from a motor 3S mounted within the lower hollow-portion of the machine frame and connected through a. speed changer 4t? to drive a range changingmechanisru 41 which, in turn, iS connected to drive the lower saw guiding wheely 3.3.

In order to guide the saw band 35 for. straight. line movement through. the open throat 34 constituting the working zone, a pair of laminated .saw band guids 44 and 45 are carried by thesupporting4 frame 31 in verti- Gally spaced relationship aboveY and below the work supporting table .36 and arev disposed to be individually adjustable to accommodate varying widths and thicknesses of saw bands. A parkingy bracket 4.6. secured to the central rearward portion et the: machine frame 31 is arranged to support a welding-apparatus 47 that is operative to weld together the ends of the saw band 35 in the event. 'the band is severed..

The supporting frame 31 is of unit type construction and comprises. a plurality" of structural components including a hcllcw supporting base139.. a vertically upstanding column 48 secured tothe upper sur-tace of the base7 and a Pair f wheel supports 49 and 50 secured to the forward wall ofthe column', the lower support 50. also being securedto. the. upper.A surface of the; base 39; The structural components constituting thev machine trame. 31 are so formed vas to reduce the cost of manufacture and to facilitate assemhlyof the machine, as well as to provide an extremely rigid framework for supporting the sawing mechanism including the guide wheels 32 and' 33 and. the endless saw band carried thereby.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the hollow base 3951s rec` tangular in form and is provided onits` upper surface 51 with a plurality of mounting pads S4 so arranged as to requirev a. minimum of time'for machining and disposed to receive the vertical column 4.8v and the lower wheel support 50. The vertical .column 48 is of generally rece tangular cross seotionjthroughout approximately the upper four-fifthsof its length and is provided at its extreme. lower end. with an` integrally' formed, laterally extending foot or extension S disposed to cooperate with the upper surface 5I of the base- 39' for Irestraining the column against lateral deflection, as shown. in Figs. l, 2 and 6. The undersurface of the vertical column 48, including its.. lateral extension 5.5., is provided witha machined surface 5.6, adapted to `.deteriorate with, the rearward mountv ing pad 54 on the base 39 and is secured thereto by means ol bolts 5,7... A. plurality of uertieally/ spaced mllllfn. padsV 58, are likewise termed. enl a foward. vertical face 59 of the column 48 to receive the upperV wheel support tttfand. theliewer wheel; support 5.0` respectively.. the. wheel supports being positioned in a verticalmente-that is transq verse to the plane of the column extension 5,5,v as, shown inFigS.. 2, 6 and As; shown in the drawings, the.. UPP-er wheel support 49 -and the lower wheel. support, 5,0; areof; generally rec tangular or boxelike shape respectively proyidedj. with 'ntegrallyformedv peripheral danses 61 and' 62.` extending outwardly to form hollow open-sided housings, arranged to. partially encloseV the upper guiding wheel 32 and the lower guiding wheel-'33, respectively. The upper' wheel support4 49 is provided on the rearward face vot" its in-` tegrally formed peripheral ilan'ge 61 with vertically spaced 'mountingv pads 63 disposed to cooperate with the upper mounting pads. 58. formed on the front face, ofI the verticali column'48` andi-s scoured? thereto byI meansl ofl bolts 64 and' dowels 65; The lower wheel support 50` is provided on the rearward face and on the underside of` its integral-ly formed peripheral flange 62.. withA mounting pads 66 and 67' respectively` arranged t-o cooperate with the pads 58 formed on the front face of the column 48 and the pads 5'4 formed on the,- top surface of the sup.- port-ing base 3.9; The lower wheel support 50 is secured at its rearward edge t0 the frontA face of the column 48' byu meansl of bolts 68 and" dowels 69 and tothe top sur-l face of the supporting base 391by` means of boltsV 70.

Since the vertical plane of the wheel supports 49r and 50' is perpendicular to the plane of the laterally extending column extension 55, as shown in Figs. 2, 6j and: 7, this arrangement provides forv rigidly supporting the column and restraining itagainst; deflection in mutuallytransverse Planes.

The wheel supportsI or housings 49- and 50 cooperate with the column 48 for retaining the upper and lower guiding wheels 32 and 33 respectively, in rigid verticallyy spaced relationship and are. so formed as to enclose a side face and the peripheral-edge of each of the guiding wheels. A pair of access doors 71 and 72 shown in Figs. l, 6 and 7 are hinged at their rearward edges to the front face 59 of the column in manner to form closures for the open sides of the housings 49 and 50 and cooperating therewith for completely enclosing the guide wheels 32 and 33 to afford protection to a machine. operator durlng operation of the machine. Further protection is provided by a rectangular U-shaped saw guard 73 hinged to the front face 59 of the column 48 between the upper wheel support 49 and the lower wheel support 50 in manner to enclose the rearward stretch of the saw band 35 extending therebetween as shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

The lower wheel support 50 is provided toward its lower forward portion with a tubular dust chute 74 of generally rectangular cross section disposed to extend angularly upward toward the periphery of the lower guider wheel 33 for removing sawdust formed by the downwardly moving forward stretch of the sawy band 35 during a cutting operation, as shown in Figs. l and 2'. The dust chute 74 1s adapteditobe connected to a vacuum system (not shown) in well known manner.

To vary the tension of the saw band` 35.' about the guide` wheels 32 and 33, the upper guide wheel 32 is arranged to.. be both angularly andrvertically adjustable relative to the lower wheel 33. As shown in Figs. 2 and. 6, a rotatable shaft 75 is` operatively connected to effect bodily vertical adjustment of the upper guide wheel 32 and a control knob 76 rearranged: to effect angular adjustment thereof.

In a modified form of supporting framework for the machlne shown 1n Fig. 4, the lower portion of the column together with the lower` wheel support are so formed asv to. facilitate securing the machine to any convenient supporting base. As there shown, a vertically upstanding ycolumn 77 of substantially rectangular cross section throughout its entire lengthis provided at its lower end; with a pair of laterally extending mounting lugs integrally formed with the front and` rear walls of the column 1n manner to extend perpendicularly therefrom. The extending mounting l'ugs arev provided with bored holes adapted to receive mounting bolts.. only the forward mounting lug 78.y secured. to the front wall of the column 77 and a mounting bolt 79v being shown in Fig. 4. A lower wheel support 8'0 secured at its rearward peripheral edge 8.1 to the. fronty wall of the column 77 by bolts.82.and dowels 83.is.provided at its lower forward portion with an. integrally formed forwardly extendingV mounting lug 84 having a. bored hole. adapted to receive a mounting bolt 85. Thus,y the. mounting. lug 84V securedv to thelower wheel support 80, together with the rear mounting lug not shown) andthe front mounting lug `78 secured tothe column. 77,. provide a. three. point mounting arrangement for rigidly securing the machine frame to. a suitable base- 86 at triangularly spaced positions.

Ina modied. form of sawguardi` for enclosing the rearvvard stretch of the saw band 35. as shown. in Fia` 9,. there 1s prov1ded an l.shapedl Stationary guard member 87 secured to the front wall 59 of the. vertical, columnv 4.8.. intermed1ately of the upper wheel support 49v and. the lower wheel support 5,0.

Included among the. principal advantagesv aorded by the described unit type constmctionof the supporting frame 31* are the simplicity of manufacturing anv ex-Y tremely rigid supporting frame. for a band saw, as well as the great reduction in the cost of manufacture.. These advantages result primarily from the particular form of the generally rectangularly shaped. units. constituting the frame 31, including the supporting base 39, the vertical column 4.8 the upper wheel support 49, and` the lower wheel support 50. Each one of the units comprising the frame 31 1s provided with ay plurality of mounting. pads that are. adapted to facilitate assembly, and are arranged in such manner as to require a minimum time for machining and fitting as 'a prerequisite to assembly. It will beapparent that the upper and lower wheel supports can be positioned and secured to the supporting column in a selected position. of vertical alignment. to facilitate and reduce the time required for aligning the upper and lower saw guiding wheels. Inasmuch as the unjts. are preferably cast in the particular shape required, and since a minimum of machining time is required', considerable econ' .only isthus effected in the manufacture of the individual units. Likewise, the size and weight of each of the units is sutliciently reduced to facilitate handling during assembly of the machine, as well as` to reduce the space required for storing these units in order to maintain the necessary inventory of parts.

The generally rectangular form of the units also serves to simplify assembling them together into a unitary frame structure in which the several constituent parts are arranged to cooperate in manner to ,provide maximum rigidity for supporting the sawing mechanism. Although each of the units is formed in a functional manner to contribute to the rigidity as well as to the overall appeal'ance of the unitary frame structure, the upper wheel support 49 and the lower wheel support 50, in particular, are so formed as to provide maximum utility in performing the dual function of both supporting and partially enclosing the upper and lower saw guiding wheels respectively. This arrangement obviates the necessity of providing the usual separate, lighter weight wheel housings normally secured to the arms of a C-shaped machine column disposed to rotatably carry a pair of saw guiding wheels, and at the same time, serves to minimize vibration during operation of the machine.

A still further advantage of this type of unit construction of a band saw frame is the simplicity and convenience with which one unit may be substituted for another, n the event it is necessary to repair the supporting frame for the machine after it has been placed inoperation.

As shown in Figs. 1, 22 and 23, the work supporting table 36 is pivotally supported toward the upper forward portion of the lower wheel support 50 for angular adjustment through an arc of approximately 45 from a normally horizontal position. To adjustably support the table 36 for pivotal movement, a bracket 89 perpendicularly secured to the underside of the table 36 is provided with an arcuate slot 90 disposed to engage a pair of horizontal guide pins 91 and 92 extending outwardly from a at vertical bearing surface 93 formed on the side face of a mounting plate 94 that extends upwardly from the upper forward portion of the lower wheel support 50. The horizontal guide pins 91 and 92, Fig. 22, are so spaced and located with reference to the arcuate slot 90 as to guide the table 36 for pivotal adjustment about an axis formed by the intersection of the horizontal plane of the table surface and the vertical plane of the saw band 35.

A complementary flat bearing surface 96 formed on the inner side face of the table bracket 89 is disposed to be normally retained infrictional guiding engagement with the at vertical bearing surface 93 formed on the mounting plate 94 secured to the lower wheel support 50 during pivotal adjustment of the table 36. To etfectthis result, a horizontally disposed stud 97 secured at its inner end to the vertical mounting plate 94 and extending outwardly through the arcuate slot 90 formed in the table bracket 89 is encircled toward its outer end by a spring 98 contained within a cup shaped washer 99 carried by the stud in manner to be interposed between the outer face 104 of the bracket and a locking member 105 threadedly secured to the extreme outer end of the stud. With the locking member 105 `in disengaged or unclamped position, as shown in Fig. 23, the spring 98 is disposed to exert pressure between the member 105 and the bracket face 104 in manner to urge the at bearing surface 96 formed on the inner side thereof into frictional engagement with the verticalguiding surface 93 of the mounting plate 94. The resilient force exerted by the spring 98 is sufficient to retain the table 36 in any selected position of angular adjustment without preventing a further mauual adjustment thereof.

To clamp the table 36 immovably to the lower wheel support 50 in a selected position of angular adjustment, the clamping member 105 is operative to engage a peripheral ange 106 integrally formed with the cup shaped washer 99 to urge the table bracket 89 into stationary clamped engagement with the vertical mounting plate 94. Thus, the spring 98 is protected against being fully compressed whenever the clamp member 105 is moved into full clamped position because of the fact that it is fully enclosed within the outwardly extending peripheral flange 106 of the cup shaped washer 99.

To indicate the degree of pivotal adjustment of the table 36, an indicating scale 107 secured to the table bracket 89 is provided with indicia arranged to cooperate with a pointer 108 secured to the mounting plate 94.

To provide clearance for the saw band 35 as the table 36 is angularly adjusted, the table is apertured to receive a circular plate 109, Figs. l and 2, which is provided with a slot corresponding to the table slot 37 for permitting vertical movement of the saw band.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the upper saw guide 44 and the lower saw guide 45 are respectively carried `in vertically spaced relationship toward the front of the machine by the upper and lower wheel supports 49 and 50 and are positioned above and below the machine table 36 in manner to engage the forward stretch of the saw band 35. As shown in Figs. 2, 10 and l1, each of the saw band guides 44 and 45 is of generally similar construction and includes a frame or support block 110 disposed to carry a pair of opposed laminated guide members 111 and 112 for independent adjustment toward or away from each other in manner to define a guiding slot of appropriate width and depth to accommodate the saw band 35. To guide the stretch of the saw band 35 extending between the guide members 44 and 45 with maximum rigidity for obtaining increased accuracy in a sawing operation, each of the pairs of opposed guide elements 111 and 112 constituting the upper and lower saw guides 44 and 45 respectively, is provided with a pair of inwardly opposed and vertically spaced saw band guiding edges 113 and 114 disposed in parallelism.

The support block 110 of the lower guide member 45 is secured to the outer end of a horizontal rod 115 slidably keyed for lateral adjustment in a bored hole formed in the table mounting plate 94 toward the upper forward portion of the lower wheel support 50 and is arranged to be clamped in predetermined adjusted] position by means of a clamp screw 116 as shown in Figs. l and 2.

The support block 110 of the upper saw guide 44 is supported for lateral and vertical adjustment at the outer end of a horizontal rod 117 slidably keyed for lateral adjustment in a bracket 118 carried at the lower end of vertically adjustable rod 119 which, in turn, is slidably keyed in a bracket 120 bolted directly to the upper wheel support 49. A clamp screw 123 threaded in the upper bracket 120 is operative to retain the vertical rod 119 in adjusted position. and a clamp screw 124 threaded in the lower bracket 118 is operative to retain the horizontal rod 117 in a predetermined position of lateral adjustment.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, resilient means operative in conjunction with the clamp screw 123 whenever the clampscrew is in disengaged or unclamped position arearranged to retain the vertical rod 119 in adjusted position without preventingfurther vertical adjustment thereof. As there shown, the bracket 120 is provided with a horizontally bored hole 125 of reduced diameter that is axially concentric with a threaded hole disposed to receive the clamp1screw 123. The clamp screw 123 being of a reduced length disposed to extend only partially through the threaded hole formed in the bracket 120 is provided at its inner end with an axially concentric bored hole arranged to slidably receive an extend-1" ing pilot rod 127 of reduced diameter that is secured to a plunger 128 slidably carried for axial movement within the bored hole 125 formed in the bracket 120. that is disposed to engage a complementary V-shaped The plunger 128 is provided with a V-shaped inner end that is disposed to engage a complementary V-shaped longitudinal groove 129 formed in the vertical rod 1.19.

`The plunger 128 is of stepped diameter, having its central portion encircled by a spring 130 that bears at one end against a shoulder 131 formed on the plunger and at its other opposite end against the inner end of the clamp screw 123. With the clamp screw 123 in disengaged or unclamped position, as shown in Fig. 3, the spring 130 is disposed to urge the inner V-shaped end of the plunger 128 into frictional engagement withI the V-shaped groove 129 formed on the vertical rod A119 in manner to restrain the rod against downward and pivotal movement. erted by the spring 130 is sufficient to maintain the rod 119 in vertically adjusted position, it is not great enough to prevent or interfere with thernanual vertical adjustment thereof.

To effect acontrolled vertical adjustment of the rod 119 for varying the height of the upper saw band guide 44 above the` work table `36, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3,

Although the resilient pressure ex-l al pinion 1133i journalled in the bracket to engage rack` in manner to urge the. V-shaped inner end thereof into.

locking engagement` with the V-shaped groove 129 formed in therod.

As. shown in the enlargedv views in Figs. 10y and ll, the lower saw band guide is so positioned that the converging narrowed ends of the laminated guide members 111: andy 112 carried by the. support block 110' eX- tend upwardllyinto a. recess 138v formed in the underside of the table 36. The upper saw band guide 44` is vertically adjustedy in manner that the converging narrowed endsolv the laminated guide members 111 and 112 carried by the upper support block. are brought as close as possible to the. upper surface of a workpiece, for example, the workpiece 139 carried by the table 36. Thus, the upper and lowerv saw guides 44V and 45 are disposed tobe positioned as close as possible to the opposite sides oi. theI workpiece 139 carried by the table 36 in` manner to guide the saw band 35 and restrain it against both rearwardly and lateral movement during a sawing operation.

To accommodate varying thicknesses of workpieces, theheight of the upper saw guide 4.4 above thetable 36 maybe regulated by the means of thev pinion control handle'1'3'5, as shown. in Figs. 2. and 3. To permit maXimum upward vertical movement of the upper guide 44 for accommodating any size of workpiece that will pass through the open throat 34 constituting the working Zone, the upper wheel support 49 is provided at its lower forward corner with a notched out recess 141 permitting complete retraction. of the upper guide.

To enclose that portion ofthe saw band 3'5 between the upper saw guide 44 and the upper wheel support 49 for affording additional protection to a machine operator, as shown in Figs. l and 2, there is provided a vertical' saw guard 1142 disposed to extend upwardly from the upper saw guide support block 110. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the saw guard 142 is carried for pivotal movement by'v a vertical pin 143 journalled in the upper block 110; By means of this arrangement, the saw guard 142 may be pivote'd` into saw guarding position or into a parked; position while the saw band' is being removed from the saw guide 44. A thumb screw 144 threaded in the upper block 1110 of the guide 44 is provided to lock the sawy guard 142 to-the support block in saw guarding position.

inasmuch. as the saw guides 44 and 45 are of generally similar construction, only the upper guide 44 will be described in' detail. As shown in Figs. l0` and 11, the upper support block 110` is provided with a laterally offset circular recess formed rearwardly of the central portion of the laminated guide members 111 and 112 in manner to receive a rotatable thrust roller 145. The thrust roller is journalled on a' stub shaft 1'46, carried toward one side of the block 1210', for rotationv in a plane transverse to the plane of the guiding slot formed by the opposed laminated.' guide members 11'1 and 112 about an axis which is` laterally offset therefrom. Thus, the saw band 35 threaded through the guiding slot defined by the laminated g'uidemembers. 111 and 112 is restrained against rearward 4movement byV having its rearward edge engage the forward side" face of the rotatable thrust roller 145 along a li'ne that is laterally offset from the aXisthereof'.

Each of theopposed laminated guide members- 111 and 1.12 of the upper' saw guide 44 is slidably carried for movement toward or'away from each other in the same vertical plane on flat verticalv bearing surfaces formed on the front face of the upper support block 110, as shown in Figs. 1 0, l1 and 12. To limit thedegree of' lateral adjustment, eachv of the laminatedguide members 111 and- 112 is provided with a pair of horizontally elongated slots 147 and 148 respectively, arranged to receive clamping bolts 149 and. 150l which extend` therethroughvto threadedly engage theV support block 11.0 and whlch are operative; to1 clamp` the guide members in` af. selected position of lateral adjustment.

In additionto being laterally adjustable for varying the width of the guiding slot to accommodate differentv thicknesseso saw bands,.the opposed laminated guide members 111 and 11'2 of the upper saw guide 44 are individually ad- 8 justablea in manner to. vary the depth of the guidingy slot formed therebetween for accommodating diierent widths. of` saw bands, asshown in Figs. 12, 13'. and 14. To effect this result, each. of. the laminated guide members 111 and 112 is composed of a plurality of slidably.l superimposed individuali guide plates or laminae 152, 153.- and. 154I provided with a pair of horizontally elongatedy guiding slots. 147 and 148, as. shown in Fig. 10, arranged to be engaged by the clamp bolts 149- and' 150. Eachofthe individually opposed guide plates. 152, 153-' and 154' is provided with' a pair of vertically spaced, inwardly opposed guiding edges 113 and 114 disposed in. parallelisml and perpendieul'ar'to the plane in which the guide plates are slfidabl'e.

To provide a slot of maximum depth: for accommodating the comparatively Wide saw band 35, asshown in Figs. l0,v 1l and l2, each of' the individual 'guide plates 1-52, 153 and 154 constituting. the laminated guide elements; 111 and 112 are so positioned: that the verticallyA spaced. bearing surfaces 113' and 114 of each guide plate. are

in the same plane to form continuous'y full depth. bearing surfaces for guiding` the saw band. To provide a. slot for accommodating a lsaw band of (intermediate width, as shown in Fig. 13, the outer opposed guide plates 154 v of the laminated guide members 111 and; 112 are retracted from saw engaging position to leave only the inner opposed guide plates 152 and 153 thereof in position to: denne a saw guidingslot. For guiding a narrow saw band, as'. shown in Fig. 14, both or the outer opposed: guide: platesv 154 and 153 of the laminated members are retracted.' to leavezonly the'. innermost opposed guide'. plates 152 thereof in position to: detne aslo'tfor guiding thesaw. band.-.

In amodiedform of. apparatusl for guiding a sawband, as shown inf` Figs; 15. and. 1'6, there are provided! a pair: of vertically spaced saw band; guides 155 and 15.6 respectivelycarried by the laterally and' verticallyl adjustable rod 117 and the laterally adjustable rod: 115iy in vertically spaced positions above and below the Wou'k V supporting: tabfe 3.6.` As there shown, each: of the sa-W band guides 1:55 and 156. includes. a supporting. block 157 provided.` witlr angularlyconverging guideways reslgrectively` disposed to support. a. pair of opposed laminated' guide membersV 158v and 159 for slidable adiustable movement toward or away froml each other in the same plane..

Each of theopposed laminated guide members 15.8l and 159 is provided with an elongated sl'ot 160rV disposed to receive a clamping screwl 1.63 extending therethrough to: threadedly engage the support block. for clamping vthe guide members in predetermined adjusted position. and for limiting the longitudinal movement thereof.

To restrain the saw band 35 threaded between the opposed laminatedv guide members 1158 and 159 against rearwardlyv movement, the upper sawv guide 155' i's pro:- vided with a thrust roller 164l rotatably? carried by the upper support. block 1:57 in a position rearwardly of theA guiding slot defined by the' opposed guide. members 158 manner that the rearward edge of the saw band diagonally engages the peripheral: rim of the thrust roller.

Thel lower saw guide 1-15'6 is provided withA ay guide shoe 165 carried' by the lower support block 157` in av position rearwardly of the guide members 158 and 159 in manner to engage therearward` edge of t'hesaw bandE 35. A saw band threaded through the upper saw guide 155'? andy the lower saw guide 156 therefore, will be` restrained against rearwardly movement by the rotatable thrust roller 164- carried by' the upper support block 157and the stationary guide shoe 165y carriedby the lower support block 157.

Each of the opposedV laminated saw guides 158' and 159I is composedof a plurality of individuall guide plates or laminae 166, 167 and` 168 slidably superimposedupon eac-h other for selectively individual adjustment in manner to vary the depth. of. the guiding slot formed therebetween. The separate guideplates 166, 167 and 168K` are eachpro.- vided with anv elongated slot disposed, to beengaged? by the clamping, screws 163 and are arrangedto have their inner, angular ends disposed in parallelism and in a-plane p perpendicular to the plane in which` the. guide plates are guide `plates 166, 167 .and 168 constituting the opposed laminated guide members 158 and 159 maybe so positioned as to detine a slot of varying depth for guiding a saw band of wide, intermediate or narrow width, respectively.

In the event the endless saw band 35 breaks during a sawing operation, or in the event it is necessary to sever the saw band to insert it in an opening in the workpiece before performing a particular sawing operation, it is advantageous to weld the ends of the saw band together in as expeditious a manner as possible. To this end, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 6, the saw band welding apparatus 47 carried by the parking bracket 46 rearwardly of the vertical column 48 may be moved to a convenient operating position adjacent to the open throat 34 constituting the working zone and in proximity to the normal path of travel of the rearward stretch of the saw band 35 to facilitate welding the ends of the saw band after it has been broken or severed. The welding apparatus 47, which is operative in well known manner, is pivotally supported on the outer end of a horizontal arm 170 for rotatable movement about a vertical axis. The arm 170,

in turn, is rotatablysupported at its inner end by a bracket 171 bolted to the rearward wall of the column 48 for pivotal adjustment in a horizontal plane. Whenever the welding apparatus 47 is not being used therefore, it may be pivotally moved to a parked or storage position rearwardly 'of the machine column 48, as shown in Fig. 7, to permit unobstructed access to the sides of the machine for greater convenience in performing sawing operations.

Power for driving the `saw band 35 at a selected speed in a high' or a low range is derived from the motor 38 which is carried for a relatively slight vertical adjustment on a motor support plate 172 pivotally mounted within the hollow base 39 of the machine, as shown in Figs. l and 2. From a multiple grooved, stepped driving pulley 173 keyed to the motor shaft, power is transmitted by means .of4 a belt 174 to drive a stepped pulley 175 rotatably journalled toward the outer end of an independently rotatable transmission shaft 176 journalled inthe range changing mechanism 41, as shown in Figs. 2 and 20. The multiple grooved stepped pulleys 173 and 175, together with the power transmitting belt 174,` are operative in well Vknown manner to constitute the selectively adjustable stepped speed changer 40. To facilitate the adjustment of the belt 174 about the Vstepped pulleys 1'73 and 175 for selectively varying the driving ratio therebetween, there is provided toward the lower rightward part of the machine, a foot pedal 178 pivotally carried by an outer wall of the machine base 39 inmanner to engage with its opposite inner end 179 the underside of the pivotally movable motor support plate 172. Depressing the foot pedal 178 operates to pivot the inner end of the motor plate 172 upwardly which, in turn, effects upward movement of the driving pulley 173 toward Vthe driven pulley 175 for facilitating the manual adjustment of the belt 17 4 about the pulleys.

To limit pivotal movement of the motor plate 172', as well as to provide a proper driving tension on the belt 174, a vertical stud 180 secured within the base 39 is ,disposed to engage the outer end of the motor support plate 172. A pair of springs 181 and 182 carried by the stud 180 on the opposite sides of the motor support plate 172 are operable to resiliently limit the pivotal movement thereof.

l The range changing mechanism 41 is contained within a housing 183 secured at its inner side to a hollow cylindrical housing 184 integrally formed with and extending laterally outward from the lower wheel support 50 by means of cap screws 185. The underside of the housing 183 is supported upon the upper surface of the hollow base 39 by means of a jackscrew 186 interposed therebetween.

The range changing mechanism 41 shown in Figs. 2 and 20 comprises essentially a pair of clutches l187 and 188 selectively actuatable to transmit power from the stepped driven pulley 175 to rotate thesaw driving transmission shaft 176 at a selected speedin a high or a low range. The saw driving transmission shaft 176 is journaled toward its outer end to rotate in a bearing 189 carried by an outboard support l190 bolted directly to the'housing 183 andat its inner end in a pair of axially spaced bearings 192and 193 carried within the circular housing 184 secured to the lowerwheel support A50. At

Iits extreme inner end, the transmission shaft 176 is provided with a slight taper 194 corresponding with a cornplementary tapered bore formed in the hub 195 of the lower saw guiding and driving wheel 33. The lower guiding wheel 33 is keyed to the inner tapered end 194 of the shaft 176 and secured thereto by means of a lock washer 196 and a cap screw 197 for rotation within the housing formed by the lower wheel support 50.

The range changing clutches 187 and 188 respectively are provided with hollow circular outer housings 198 and 199 respectively connected to be driven throughout low and high speed ranges. The high range clutch housing `199 is provided with an outwardly extending, elongated hub 202 integrally formed therewith and is journalled` to rotate on the rightward end of the transmission driving shaft 176 on sleeve bearings 203 and 204. For driving the rightward clutch housing 199 in a. high range, the upper multiple groove pulley is keyed directly to the elongated hub 202 integrally formed therewith. t

The clutch housing 198 of the low range clutch 187 is provided with an extending hub 205 of reduced diameter that is journalled to rotate on the central portion of the transmission driving shaft 176, on sleeve bearings 206 and 207. For transmitting power from the pulley 175 to drive the clutch housing 198 at a reduced range of driving speeds, a pinion 208 keyed to the hub 202 of the rightward high range clutch housing 199 is operatively `connected to engage an enlarged spur gear `209 secured to a jackshaft 210 which is, in turn, journaled to rotate in the lower portion of the housing 183. A pinion 211 secured to the opposite end of the jackshaft 210 is disposed to engage gear teeth 212 formed on the periphery of the low range clutch housing 198.

To transmit power from the leftward clutch housing 198 for driving the transmission shaft 176 in the low range, an inner clutch element 214 keyed to the shaft 176 is provided with driven clutch plates 215 arranged to be engageable with driving clutch plates 216 slidably keyed at their outer periphery within the clutch housing 198. A cover plate 217 secured to the clutch housing 198 by` means of cap screws is threaded to receive a rotatable adjusting element 219 disposed to be retained in adjusted position by `means of a lock screw 220. Toward its inner, forward portion, the adjusting element 219 is provided with an outwardly inclined circular guideway 221 arranged to guide a plurality of actuating balls 222, circumferentially spaced about the inner clutch element 214, for outward movement into wedging engagement with a clutch actuating plate 223 to effect driving 'engagement between the driving clutch plates 216 and the driven clutch plates 215.

ln a similar manner, the rightward high range clutch 188 is .provided with a plurality of driving clutch plates 225 and driven clutch plates 226 selectively engageable to transmit power from the outer clutch housing 199 to drive the transmission shaft 176. A plurality of clutch actuating balls 227 are retained in circumferentially spaced, relationship about an inner clutch element 228 by an outwardly inclined circular guideway formed at the inner beveled edge of a circular adjusting element 230 carried in a clutch cover plate 231 whenever the high range clutch 188 is disengaged, as shown in Fig. 22.

To elect selective engagement of the clutch 187 or the clutch 188, there is provided intermediately of the `clutches an actuating` sleeve 232 slidably carried on the transmission shaft 176 for axial movement. Adjacent to its oppositely beveled ends, the actuating sleeve 232 is provided with apair of ball races 233 and 234 respectively disposed to be engaged by the clutch actuating balls 222 or 227. As the sleeve 232' is moved leftwardly to effect engagement of the low range clutch 187, the beveled or tapered leftward end thereof operates to move the actuating balls 222 outwardly to exert pressure between the angularly inclined circular guideway 221 of the adjusting element 219 and theV axially slidable clutch actuating plate 223. With the sleeve 232 moved to its limit of leftward movement, the actuating balls 222 will be seated in the ball race 233, as'shown in Fig. 20, in which position the balls will function in a manner similar to a detent mechanisml for retaining thesleeve in its leftward position and thus maintaining theV clutch plates 215 and 216 in driving engagement.

In a similar manner, the actuating sleeve 232 is axially .movable to its extreme rightward position to elfect a driving engagement between the clutch plates 225 and 1 l 226 :of the high range ele-teh 188. In theevent neither ,of the A@latches `L87 :and 188 is .to tbe engaged, ythe actuating sleeve 252 is movable to a `central neutral position interlaced.iatelyl of the clutches, as shown in Fig. 2,

For eiiecting .selective axial movement of the actuating sleeve .232 fio either 'direction from its neutral pos1- tion,` Fig. 2, to effect engagement of .either the low range clutch 1&87 or the high range clutch 188, there is journalled on. the upper surfaee'ef the .range changing'housmg 183 .a Control vlever 255. The control lever 235 is secured to theouter end of a. vertical .shaftZG jour-nailed to rotate in a support bracket secured to the upper surface of the housing- A't :its inner. end, as shown in Figs- ZQ and 21, .the Vvertical `shaft 236 is provided with an eccentnic anni 2358 disposed lto engage the upper end of a laterally pi-votable shifter fork 239 that is pivotally carfied between -a :pair .of spaced arms 240 and 2141 depending 'from the. underside 'of the bracket 237. The lower forked end of the :shifter .fork 239 engages an annular groove 242 'formed @on the central portion of the axially slidable. kclutch actuating sleeve 232...

Referring now to Figs... 5 and .22, the modified fori-n of a speed 'Changing mechanism .2 44 there shown is interposed between the motor 38 and `the yrange Changing mechanism 4.1. for transmitting power therebetween to drive. the,` eontinugoussaw band 35 throughout an infinitely variable selection of speeds. in 'a 'high `and 10W range. The variable speed changing, transmission mechanisrn 2144; comprises yessentially an intermediate pulley unit. '2.4.5 'oni theeispansible variable pitch `type rotatably carried tto-ward the outer e-nd of one arm 246` of a movable. fbell .Crank 24.7 which', turn, is pivotal-ly Asupported by the machine. base 39... A driving pulley 24,8. keyed to the shaft-of the. motor 38. and` adriven pulley 249 keyed to,V the. outwardly `ezt-.tendere hub-.202. of: the high range clutch housingtli arerotatable in aplane parallel, to the .plane Vof 'rotation of? 'thefiutermediate pulley unit 245 and .are interconnected therewith. byI means: of. a lower driving-belt. 25.0 and an upperdr-iving belt.- zlgrespectively.

The. iutenrnediate.pulleyI nuit 24.5 is. provided with; an axially oaitingcentersection which is slidably keyed ou apulley hubtfor movement between apair'of 'fixed end sections,A 254; andi 255 secured to the Aopposite ends thereofY in well known manner. The. lower. :driving belt 25th is trained the; lower motor pulleyl 248 and a groove 25.6 of' variable,` diameter formed. between the axially,` floating center section. 2x52 :and .thejleftward end sectionlaityof theinternredia-te pulleyunit 245. I n. a simi.- lar manuenthe. upper dri-venizbelbZSl is. trained about the upper pnliey-"2.;49l'and aigroove 257 of variable diameter formed between the movable center secttiorrZSZ'. and the rightwa-rdt endi'sectiouY Z55/of Athe puliey'unit: I245.. Bodily `downward :movement: ofthe;intermediaterpulley unit l245 opera sein welitlenowrr mannen through thevaction of the Actooperating.tbelts-to;effect. leftwardimovement of the aniF ally'movablex, center' section thereof to' increase the effective. driving diameter of the pulley groove 256'. Vand to. decrease. thejdriving ldiameterzof the-groove 257. for decreasing theV 'nattegv of; .speed of thedriven pulley 249. Couyensely, upwardimovemenf .ofthe intermediate pulley unit 2145' operates thr-ouglitthey acti'oui of the cooperating belts to. increase the speed, ,of the. drivenl pulley. 249.

To, eiecti selective; upwardi on downward: movement ofthe. intermediate:pulleyiuuit'igltheahell crank 24T is forked atitsroppositdL ent'bin mannerA totengageia circular pilotfZSzsecured-toattnavteling Vadjusting'nut 259fthreaded on. the innenendnof; anadjusting-:screw 260: "[Zhef adjusting screw. 216.0 ist joumalled .tol rotateX in an` extending arm` 2,161` securedttol .the-fmauhiuerbase 39A and yisprovided at.- its outer endl with. aihandwheelzlz which is:operative to rotateg then .shaftt for: effecting: :selective longitudinal movement 'of the; `adjustingfinut 259 int-manner. *to-move the'bell crank. for; elfectinggupwardftorfdownvvard bodily movement off the.; inten-mediatepulley, lunit 245.'

Erorn. thel foregoing.` desoription.-k and explanation of the,V .construction and opera/timatof:V the bandi sawing. machine herein settforth,asnexemplifyingi,the invention, it is. apparent. that. thereshas.; been.4 provtidedi an: improved econominallyj constructed. uniti 'typet frame structurey in;- corpora-ting improved-t sawe guarding means.v for- :protecting a.; machines operaton :andi that: is t disposed z tofsupport the sawing mechanism including: an: endless saw. 4band with; at; maximum; yoft rigidity duringf-a'l sawing operation, as wellies improved meansifor guidingand controllingrthe speed; of operatiorrof the endlessts-a'wrbandtinmanner to ,provide for operating 'the machine conveniently :fand '.efciently in .performing a particularsawiug operation.

vAithough ithe I'illustrative embodiments .of the invention have been described :in considerable :detail 4for the 4:purpose of setting forth a practical exemplifying apparatus, it .is to -be understood that .the particular :structure .and lcontrol means herein described 'are intended to ibo illustrative only kand that the various inventive features may be incorporated -i-n other ystructural forms without depanting from the spirit .andscope of v,the invention `as ilelined in `the subjoined'claims.

The yprinciples `of .the invention havingnow been fully explained in connection with the foregoing ldescription of embodying structure, I hereby claim as my invention:

l. In a band saw-ing machine .having .a pair Lofspaced saw guiding wheels, a generally C-shaped supporting frame comprising avertically'upstanding `column provided with a front wall presenting rupper and .lower at vertical mounting surfaces lying in .parallel vertical "planes, and a pair `of wheel supports formed in the :shape of hollow open sided housings ,presenting flat mounting `surfaces and being releasably secured `to .said .column in predetermnately adjusted vertically 'spaced relationship, ,said wheel supports being respectively disposed to .rotatably support .and partially enclose said sawt'guiding Wheels.

2. In .a -'generally AG-shaped supporting lfratrie for la band saw, a hollow vertically upstanding columntpresenting an unbroken front wall extending from the :top to the bottom thereof, Ya ,pair of wheel supports 4formed 1in the shape of hollow open sided housings removably ssecured lto the front wallof said columnin predeterminately adjusted vertically spaced relationship in the same tpl'ane, a pairiof rotatable saw' guiding wheels respectively carried by said wheel supports in manner to be .partiaily `enclosed thereby, and apa'ir of access doors hinged to saidcoumn in manner tocooperate with said wheelrsupports foricompletely enclosing sa-id saw ,guiding wheelsv 3.. IIn a frame for a band sawing machine, lan upper wheel support comprising a Isllbstantially lflat side valvazil and an integrally formed peripheral :flange substantially perpendicular thereto, said yupper wheelfsupport coustitub,

Ving an :opensided lrpno'tective. housing vand presenting @on one external .side v-of the said integrally formed angc ya flat mounting surface, an upper saw guiding wheel 4journalled within the said housing Yconstituted. by :said upper support .for rotation about 'an axis gparaflel. to 'the said at ymounting surface presented thereby, av lower wheel support comprising `a substantially dat sideY andV yan .integrally .peripheral ange substantially yperpendicular thereto, said lower .wheeltsupport constitue ing an open sided lprotective housing l.presenting .on one external side of the saidl integrally formed flange a dat mounting surface, a lower s aW 4guiding wheel `ournaled to the said "l'ower support within the housing. con -stituted thereby .for rotation about an axis parallell'to the said' 'at mounting surface preseutedhy .said support, an upstandi'ng hollow column member presenting. on. front face vertically spaced apart upper VaudIower fiat vertical mounting- .surfaces formed in the .same vertical plane, said'` columnmember beiugadaplted't'o 4rigidly carry said upper and lower wheel supports in laterally extendi'rrgverticaliy spaced' relationship, said: upper and 'lower wheel' supports being laterally and' tilta'bly positionalile alongthe. frontA face of' said column with the said 'dat mounting surfaces presented by said supportsbeiugmaihtained in abuttingl engagement with the sai'djflat -m'ounfing surfaces respectively' presented byv said Lcolumn jfor positioning the said' Wheels journalled in .said supports Vin the same vertical` plane', 'and'A releasable` means cionnectedito. rigidlyY clampI said lsupports to said; column' predetermined vertical a'lgrunents whereby' the said sup'- ports constituting.protective` wheel 'housings -a're adjust? ablyv securedi't'o said columnto' predeterminate'ly' align the said wheels journalled insaid supports and thms'co'm'- pensate fortslight variations' in manufacture.

4. As anarticle ofmanufacture; a bands'aw 'frame comprising-a` hollowwertica'lly 'opstanding columntof substantially rectangular cross section,- said. coltunrr "being provided with unbroken'fvertical# side wallsjoine atitheir forward edgesV by a" solidunbrokeny front Awall having` la pluralityofforwardlyfprojecting upper and Ilower-rnouuting padsl respectively presenting' fiati vertical' mounting surfacesformediulthefsame*vertical plane; upperwh'ecl support having# a side# wall integrally formed witii a` laterally-'extending:peripheral Range to'constitute aniopen sidedprotective housing for a saw guiding wheel, said upper support being provided with a plurality of mounting pads extending outwardly from one external side of the said ange associated therewith and presenting at mounting surfaces formed in the same plane, said upper wheel support being removably and xedly secured to said column in predetermined tiltably and laterally adjusted position with the said at mounting surfaces presented by said support in rigidly abutting engagement with the said upper vertical flat mounting surfaces presented by said column, a lower wheel support having a side wall integrally formed with a laterally extending peripheral flange to constitute an open sided protective housing for a saw guiding wheel, said lower support being provided with a plurality of mounting pads extending outwardly i from one external side of the said peripheral flange associated therewith and presenting flat mounting surfaces formed in the same plane, said lower wheel support being removably and fixedly secured to said column in predetermined tiltably and laterally adjusted position a with the said flat mounting surfaces presented by said lower support in rigidly abutting engagement with the said lower Hat mounting surfaces presented by said column, and means for securing said upper and lower wheel supports to said column in predetermined tiltably and laterally adjusted position.

5. In a frame for a band sawing machine provided with a pair of spaced apart saw guiding wheels, an endless saw band trained about said guiding wheels, an upper wheel housing adapted to rotatably support one of said saw guiding wheels, said housing presenting a flat vertical mounting surface parallel to the axis of rotation of the said wheel supported thereby, a lower wheel housing adapted to rotatably support the other of the said saw guiding wheels, said lower housing presenting a fiat ver- I.

tical mounting surface parallel to the axis of rotation of the said saw guiding wheel carried thereby, a vertically upstanding column presenting vertical at mounting surfaces formed in the same vertical plane and adapted to support said upper and lower housings in laterally extending vertically spaced relationship, said housings being tiltably and laterally adjustable relative to said column with the said flat mounting surfaces respectively presented by saidhousings in abutting engagement with the said flat mounting surfaces presented by said column, said housings being adjustably positionable on said column to bring the said wheels carried thereby into exact vertical alignment, interconnecting positioning means adapted to retain said housings in exact predetermined vertical alignment along said column, and removable means connected to secure said housings rigidly to said column in predetermined aligned relationship as determined by said positioning means with the said flat mounting surfaces respectively presented by said housings being clamped in rigidly abutting engagement with the respective said flat mounting surfaces presented by said column.

6. In a band sawing machine, a pair of open sided protective housings respectively comprising a flat side wall and an integrally formed laterally extending peripheral flange, said housings being provided with mounting pads extending outwardly from the outer side of the said flanges formed therewith and presenting flat mounting surfaces, a pair of saw guiding wheels respectively journalled within said housings for rotation about axes lying in a plane parallel to a plane passing through the flat mounting surfaces of the said respective pads, an upstanding hollow column provided with unbroken vertical side walls joined at their forward edges by an unbroken solid front wall provided with a plurality of vertically spaced mounting pads extending forwardly therefrom to present vertical at mounting surfaces lying in parallel vertical planes, said column being adapted to carry said housings with the mounting pads thereon being retained in abutting engagement with the said pads on said column, said housings being laterally and tiltably positionable along said column mounting pads to move the said guiding wheels carried thereby into exact vertical alignment, and removable attachment means connectable to rigidly secure said housings to said column in predetermined vertical alignment in the same plane and with the said flat surfaces presented by said wheel support pads being maintained in rigid abutting engagement with the said fiat surfaces presented by said column mounting pads.

7. In a band sawing machine, a hollow vertically up- `standing column of substantially uniform rectangulai cross section throughout its length, said column present ing a substantially solid unbroken vertically formedfront wall provided with forwardly extending lower mounting pads having ilat vertical mounting surfaces formed in the same vertical plane, an upper wheel support secured to the upper front wall of said column, an upper saw guiding wheel rotatably carried by said upper support fotrotation in a vertical plane about an axis parallel to a plane passing through lthe said lower Hat surfaces presented by said column mounting pads, a lower wheel support comprising a side wall and an integrally formed laterally extending peripheral flange `secured to said side wall in a manner to cooperate therewith to constitute an open-sided protective housing, a lower saw guiding wheel rotatably carried by the said side wall of said lower support for rotation in a plane parallel therewith and within the said peripheral flange secured to said side wall, said lower wheel being journalled to rotate about an axis xedly positioned with respect to said lower wheel support, said support being provided with a plurality of mounting pads extending rearwardly from one external side of the said flange associated therewith and presenting ilat mounting surfaces formed in the same plane and parallel to the fixed rotational axis of said lower wheel, said lower support being removably secured to said column in predetermined tiltably adjusted position with the said flat surfaces presented by said lower wheel support mounting pads being retained in rigidly abutting engagement with the said lower flat Vertical surfaces presented by said column pads, and removable attachment means connected to secure said lower wheel support rigidly to said column in a predetermined position of vehrtical alignment with respect to said upper saw guiding w eel.

8. As an article of manufacture, a band saw frame comprising a vertically upstanding column of substantially rectangular cross section, said column being provided with unbroken vertical front and rear walls joined at their Vertical edges by unbroken side walls, a unitary upper wheel support constituting an open-sided protective housing that comprises a side wall having an integrally formed laterally extending ange secured thereto, said upper wheel support being provided with a flat mounting surface formed on one external side of the said flange associated therewith, said upper support being removably secured to the upper front wall of said column in predetermined tiltably adjusted position with the said flat mounting surface presented by said support being retained in abutting engagement with the said upper front column wall, a unitary lower wheel support constituting an opensided protective housing comprising a side wall having an integrally formed laterally extending peripheral flange secured thereto, said lower wheel support being provided with a flat mounting surface formed on one external side of the said flange associated therewith, said lower wheel support being removably secured to said column in spaced relationship below said upper wheel support and in predetermined tiltably and laterally adjusted position relative thereto with the said at mounting surface presented by said support being retained in abutting engagement with the said lower front column wall, and removable attachment means connected to respectively secure said upper and lower wheel supports to said column in rigid predetermined aligned position.

9. In a band sawing machine, a pair of upper and lower wheel supports respectively constituting open-sided housings adapted to partially enclose and protect a band saw wheel, said supports respectively comprising a side wall and an associated peripheral flange substantially perpendicular to said side wall, said housings being provided with flat mounting surfaces respectively formed on an external surface of the said anges associated therewith, a pair of saw guiding wheels respectively journalled to rotate in said housings about axes respectively parallel to the said mounting surfaces formed thereon and substantially perpendicular to the said side walls associated therewith, a vertically upstanding column presenting an upper fiat vertical mounting surface and a lower flat vertical mounting surface formed in parallel planes and being complementary to the said flat mounting surfaces respectively presented by said housings, said column being adapted to support said housings in vertically spaced relationship with the said flat vertical mounting surfaces on said column being in abutting engagement with the said mounting; :suvfa's- @on :said housings; fsd rsu'pforts beingvadapted ztobe" tiltbly and laterally fadju'stableifrelw 'ive'to :said-y fcolumn 11:0" brinfg said fsaw' guiding els inra @exactw/Prtivaal 'alignmenty -to compensate .for 'sligh'f-.ire'gflarities inf m'anufa'ctumimeans .for :positioning said :s'upl ;pmits :oncsaid aolumn in predetermined fa'djust'edI vertical alignmentl and means for isec'urin'gfsai'd supper-ts to'fsaid edlumn 'i111apredeterminedrligned posifui'on.

References Cite'd in the le' 'of th'is patent UNITED STTES PATENTSr 

